IND vs AUS: Mithali Raj equals record with milestone 50

Indian Women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj has managed to equal Debbie Hockley’s record of most 50+ scores in Women’s World Cups as the Indian skipper scored her brilliant half-century against Australia at Eden Park in Auckland in the ICC Women’s world cup on Saturday. Mithali along with her teammate Yastika Bhatia helped India recover from the early shock after Darcie Brown had removed both openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, on a low score. 

The Indian captain played an inspiring knock of 68 runs to provide her team the perfect momentum of a late assault. With her 68-run knock, Mithali now has twelve 50+ scores in Women’s World Cups which is the same as New Zealand’s Debbie Hockley.

Former England captain Charlotte Edwards is currently third in the list with a total of eleven 50+ scores in the world cricket’s biggest event. Australia’s Karen Rolton (9) and New Zealand star Suzie Bates (8) complete the top five list.

On Saturday, in the ongoing Women’s World Cup, Australia won the toss and put India into bat. Mandhana and Shafali Verma were taken out of the game within the first 10 overs. However, Mithali and Yastika added 130 runs for the third wicket to lead India’s fightback. Both players managed to make impressive half-centuries to put India back on track to put up a respectable total on board.

Harmanpreet Kaur smashed an unbeaten 57 while Pooja Vastrakar managed a fast 34 off just 28 balls as India posted 277 for seven in their 50 overs.

For Australia, Darcie Brown was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets for 30 runs in eight overs. Alana King picked up two wickets while Jess Jonassen chipped in with one. Australia are currently the league leaders of the Women’s World Cup points table with eight points from four games. India are placed fourth with four points from as many games.